DAINTON Park’s team played their second home Dartmoor League match of the season versus Thurlestone on Sunday 7. After a sunny start to the day, the clouds gathered and the players got a good soaking as the heavens opened - great news for the course, but challenging playing conditions.

The team weren’t fazed by the conditions though and got off to a strong start in all of their games.

First out were Graham L and James Nicholls who took an early lead and held on to win 5&4. Dad and son pair Phil and Matt Taylor won comfortably 6&5 and in the 3rd game, Ian Osborne and Kev Down cruised to another 5&4.

Special thanks go out to Paul Tucker and Dexter who turned out on the course to support the team and offer encouragement, which was much appreciated.

The prospect of a second consecutive home clean sweep gathered pace with news of the pairs leading in the final two games. Sure enough, Chris George and Mark Webb closed out their game 3&2 leaving our mixed pairing of Sally Clements and Gary Picken to make it 5-0, winning 3&1.

Even with the one-sided scoreline and despite the defeat, the opponents Thurlestone were most gracious and enjoyed their day at Dainton Park. Thanks to a strong result of 4-1 for Thurlestone last weekend at home against leaders Dartmouth, Dainton are now within 1.5 points of the top. At this halfway stage of the season, all is still to play for and so there is a lot of excitement around this tightly contested competition.

So far, 23 players from the squad have played in the five league fixtures, which shows huge strength in depth and that is crucial to maintaining momentum through the season.

The team fielded will make every effort to consolidate Dainton’s position at or near the top of the table in the next match against Yelverton at home on July 28.